Free tool

Shade Code Decoder: what does your shade code actually mean?

NC42. 310N. WN 04. These codes look precise, but they only mean something inside the brand that invented them. Type any brand and shade below to see its real measured depth and undertone, not a guess at what the letters stand for.

Why this exists

Shade codes are a brand’s shorthand, not a universal language.

The problem

Codes don’t translate.

“NC42” in one brand and “42” in another aren’t guaranteed to be the same colour, even though the digits match.

What this shows

The real measured answer.

Depth and undertone, read from the catalog’s measured colour data for that exact shade, not from parsing the code itself.

Next step

Find its real matches.

Once you know what a shade actually measures as, the finder shows you its genuine equivalents across 100+ other brands.

FAQ

Common questions.

What does a foundation shade code like NC42 or 310N actually mean?

Most codes combine an undertone signal (a letter like N, W, or C) with a depth number. But the exact meaning is specific to each brand, and the numbers don't translate across brands. This tool looks up the real measured depth and undertone behind any shade in the catalog.

Does this tool work for any brand?

It covers over 100 brands and 4,300+ shades in the catalog. If a shade isn't found, it may not be in the database yet.

Can I use this to find the same shade in another brand?

This tool decodes one shade's measured depth and undertone. To find its actual cross-brand matches, use the finder, which compares measured colour directly rather than translating codes.

Want your actual cross-brand match, not just a decoded code?

Name your shade or scan your skin to get real matches across 100+ brands.